Silence

by G.K. Wilson

Swamp - A tract of wet spongy land unfit for cultivation having a growth of certain types of trees…and other things.

In the quiet town of Deep Creek, there is a swamp with a small trail leading to a clearing where a pond reflects a beautiful array of the surrounding trees and sky, but there's a strangeness to this pond that no one can explain. Like that, no matter how windy a day, the pond's water stays flat, and the clearing is too quiet, almost completely devoid of any of the sounds of nature surrounding it. According to local folklore, the first people to ever live in the area had called the place Silence.

Lindsey and her little girl, Allie, have moved to Deep Creek in search of a fresh start. Will they find it, or will they find that the real dangers lurking within a swamp aren't the snakes but the other things?

82 pages, Paperback

Published September 13, 2024

Reviews

[Marie Wikle · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent short story

I’ve read other short stories by this author and loved them so I knew I would love this one.

I would have loved a little more at the end but overall I loved this story

[Elle Sie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The creepy opening of this story set the tone, describing an unseen entity, nameless and formless, living in swamplands and in existence longer than people. From there, the plot followed Matilde and her daughter Allie, having moved to a house in Deep Creek at the edge of the swamp near the sinister entity known as Silence. It's a short read at 51 pages, but even so, managed to endear me to both mother and daughter so that when things go as you might expect them to in a horror story, it does leave you feeling a sense of despair. A good, quick read that is unsettling and atmospheric.

[Kristen Moran · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girls friend

Silence lived alone in the swamp for years, many before humans came to live near the swamp. Silence wanted to communicate with the adults but the ones that understood it warned everyone away. So she connected with the children, only to soon bring the children to the swamp where they could live with it forever.

The story of Silence is chilling. Constantly keeping you on edge waiting and watching for something to happen to poor Allie. The ending leaving you shivering with a terror of what is to come.

[Jessie Bradford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read

I loved how the author told the story. It was a short story but very well written. The first by this author. I will be looking into more. I don’t give away anything in my reviews, but one that I will recommend.

[Sterling Kirkland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ending is a little abrupt, but a very good story nonetheless.

[Mike Minicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved how eerie this book was. The introduction of Silence locks you into a story that will have you on the edge of your seat all the way through. A true definition of a thriller.

[Vasilia Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short story! Silence is a thrilling short story that will pull you in. Deep Creek may seem like a quiet little town but there are secrets within!